Appointment of non-academic VCs may dishearten senior faculty

Appointment of non-academic VCs may dishearten senior faculty 

Allowing candidates with proven credentials to become vice-chancellors aligns with NEP 

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 20.01.2025

The UGC recently released the draft Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations 2025 to allow candidates with proven credentials and significant contributions from industry, public administration, and public policy to become vice-chancellors. 

The move intended to make Indian universities globally competitive could throw up multiple challenges for non-academicians in the university administration and dishearten academics aspiring for a promotion in their universities. M Jagadesh Kumar, chairman, UGC, says, “Allowing candidates with proven credentials and significant contributions from fields such as industry, public administration, and public policy to become vice-chancellors is a forward-thinking step that aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of stimulating innovation and transforming higher education. By bringing diverse perspectives, leadership experience, and expertise in solving real-world challenges, these candidates can catalyse interdisciplinary research, strengthen industryacademia collaboration, and drive entrepreneurial initiati ves. This inclusive approach ensures that universities are not only centres of academic excellence but also societal progress and innovation engines, fully embracing the transformative aspirations of NEP 2020.”

 Non-academic outsiders might need a significant amount of time to understand the workings of universities and implement NEP provisions. PV Navaneethakrishnan, former professor and director of Entrance Exams and Admission, Anna University, says, “Even VCs hailing from academic institutions spend considerable time learning how to perform as VCs. When the post is made open to industrialists, more time will be needed for their orientation.” Appointing industry experts may dishearten academics as it may close the doors for senior academics to be appointed as VCs. “It is inappropriate to appoint an industrialist as vicechancellor, as varsities are where human character is cultivated, not where machines are produced. An individual lacking academic and research knowledge will execute tasks in a manner consistent with their background and experience. This will dishearten academics, as they recognise that regardless of the quality of their scholarly and research contributions, they will not be prioritised for the position of VC,” says Brajesh Kumar Tiwari, associate professor, ABVSME, JNU.